Wrestlemania V Review

by Alfonso Colasuonno

Overall - I can summarize Wrestlemania V in one word - disappointment. Despite boasting a great main event and an amusing segment with Roddy Piper, Brother Love, and Morton Downey Jr, the card as a whole otherwise truly disappointed. Many of the matches were straight up boring.

King Haku v. Hercules - This was actually a pretty good opening match with lots of back and forth action. Haku looked pretty spry, but not nearly as intimidating as in his WCW run.

The Twin Towers v. The Rockers - Excellent teamwork from Marty Jannetty and a young Shawn Michaels in this bout. Also funny to see the One Man Gang dancing around and wearing a jacket with a cutout of Africa on the back.

The Million Dollar Man v. Brutus Beefcake - Two good performers put on an average match.

The Fabulous Rougeau Brothers v. The Bushwhackers - An absolute bore. And in the case of the Bushwhackers, absolute boors. Ugh.

Mr. Perfect v. The Blue Blazer - Nice to see a young Owen Hart wrestle a good match against Perfecto.

Run-DMC performance - Fell flat.

Demolition v. The Powers of Pain & Mr. Fuji for the Tag Titles - Fuji looked out of shape. Not exactly the most exciting match in the world. What's with the Warlord's hairstyle.

Dino Bravo v. Rugged Ronnie Garvin - Skip this one. Dino Bravo looked pretty good but Garvin had nothing to offer.

The Brain Busters v. Strike Force - Martel turns on Santana and Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard wrestle the most uninspired performance of their career.

Piper's Pit with Morton Downey Jr. and Brother Love - I think Roddy Piper is one of the greatest talents with the mic in wrestling history and he shines here playing against Morton Downey Jr. especially. Hilarious to see the chain smoking Downey get blasted by a fire extinguisher after blowing smoke in Piper's face. The highlight of Wrestlemania V.

Jake the Snake v. Andre the Giant - Andre can barely move in the ring. It's always a chore to watch him face lower-level opponents. At least against Hogan you wonder how his immense size matches up with the Hulkster...with Jake the Snake...you just can't help but analyze the big man's lack of deftness of foot and poor wrestling ability (a precursor to Khali).

Greg the Hammer Valentine & The Honky Tonk Man v. The Hart Foundation - A bore of a match.

Ultimate Warrior v. Rick Rude for the Intercontinental Title - Surprisingly, this is the first time a man managed by Bobby the Brain Heenan wins a title. Solid match. The Warrior isn't much of a performer.

Bad News Brown v. Hacksaw Jim Duggan - All right. It wasn't a bad match and was actually pretty good despite the limitations of both wrestlers.

Red Rooster v. Bobby the Brain Heenan - A joke of a match. Pure filler. Heenan loses to Terrific Terry Taylor donning red spikes in his blond mane.

Macho Man Randy Savage v. Hulk Hogan for the World Title - The best match of the evening. Hulk hulks up after taking the elbow off the top rope from Savage. Randy Savage was quite the performer in his heyday. Hulk Hogan, limited as he may be as a wrestler, knows how to bring out the best in his opponents and you can't deny his mystique.